Bagging machines for adjustably controlling packing density

ABSTRACT

Bagging machines for controlling the packing density of material being packed into a container may include one or more density control apparatus or assemblies. The density control apparatus may include an elongate density control member having first and second forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine and a central portion extending rearwardly therefrom to provide a density control assembly of a first configuration. The elongate density control member also may be operatively associated with at least one pair of density-setting posts operatively coupled to a portion of the bagging machine to selectively provide a density control assembly of at least one additional configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the bagging machines may include a forward wheel assembly operatively coupled to a forward region of the bagging machine to enable the bagging machine to move over a ground surface. The density control apparatus further may include a forward brake assembly operatively associated with a forward wheel assembly operatively coupled to a forward region of the bagging machine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to bagging machines for adjustably controllingthe packing density of material, such as silage, compost, or the like,packed into an elongate bag or container.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural feed bagging machines have been employed for several yearsto fill, pack, or bag silage or the like into elongated plastic bags. Inthese bagging machines, silage or the like is supplied to the forward orintake end of the bagging machine and is fed to a rotor that conveys thesilage into a tunnel on which the bag is positioned so that the bag isfilled. As silage is loaded into the bag, the bagging machine moves awayfrom the filled end of the bag in a controlled fashion so as to achieveuniform compaction of the silage material within the bag. These machinesincluded a pair of drums rotatably mounted on the bagging machine with abrake associated therewith for braking, or resisting, the rotation ofthe drum with a selected brake force. A cable or chain was wrappedaround the drum and was released with rotation of the drum. A backstopstructure was disposed at the closed end of the agricultural bag and wascoupled to the bagging machine via the chains or cables to resist themovement of the bagging machine away from the filled end of theagricultural bag as silage is forced into the bag.

In more recent bagging machines, a variety of density controlassemblies, which included one or more cables, have been positioned inthe flow of the silage material being bagged. In order to vary thedensity of the material in the machine, more or fewer cables would beemployed based on the material being packed. For example, corn silageflows easy and would require more cables. Similarly, alfalfa packs hardand would require fewer cables.

In other bagging machines, a single cable forming a loop has beenemployed with adjustment mechanisms allowing a user to lengthen orshorten the loop behind the bagging machine. In still other baggingmachines, one or more ends of the loop have been coupled to movabletrolleys to allow a user to adjust the configuration of the cable loop,such as by widening or narrowing the cable loop, during the baggingoperation to adjustably control the packing density.

Control of the packing density during the bagging operation is importantbecause a single bag may include material having different propertiesthat packs differently. For example, a single bag may be several hundredfeet long and be packed with agricultural material, such as alfalfa,from all parts of a farm or region. The alfalfa is brought to thebagging machine in a number of separate loads, some of which may bewetter than others or some of which may include alfalfa cut longer thanthe alfalfa in other loads. The wet alfalfa or long alfalfa will packmore densely in a given cable loop configuration than will dry or shortalfalfa. Accordingly, a user may prefer to adjust the configuration ofthe cable or other density control apparatus in accordance with thematerial properties of the material being packed. Unfortunately, theextent and impact of the differences between the materials is rarelyknown until the material is packed into the bag and the differenceevidences itself as loose packing or a bagging machine that is stuck dueto the unexpectedly dense packing.

Previous bagging machines with adjustable density control apparatusallow the user to control the packing density during operation, but itoften takes several feet of packing distance before the desired changeis completed. For example, if the forward end of a cable loop isnarrowed, the rearward end will trend narrower as it moves forward butit will not be as narrow as the forward end for at least several inches,if not several feet, of bagging machine movement. Accordingly, there isa delay between the control signal and the attainment of theconfiguration adapted to provide the selected packing density. Dependingon the circumstances, that delay may lead to undesirable loose packingfor several inches or feet of the bag length or may cause the machine tobecome stalled due to the resistance force being greater than theavailable forward force. Alternatively, the loose packing wastesavailable storage space and may decrease the storage quality. A stalledmachine interrupts the bagging operation and wastes many resourcestrying to free the machine from the packed bag and restarting thebagging operation. A bagging machine that provides for greater controlover the packing density is described herein.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed towards bagging machines forcontrolling the packing density of material being packed into acontainer. The bagging machines may include a mobile frame having aforward region and a rearward region. A material-forming enclosurehaving an intake region may be coupled to the rearward region of themobile frame. An output region of the material-forming enclosure extendsrearwardly from the mobile frame. A material-filling apparatus may becoupled to the mobile frame and may be adapted to pack the agriculturalmaterial into the material-forming enclosure to thereby move the baggingmachine forward. A forward wheel assembly may be coupled to the forwardregion of the mobile frame to enable the bagging machine to move over aground surface. A density control apparatus is operatively coupled tothe mobile frame and extends rearwardly therefrom in operativeassociation with the material in the material-forming enclosure. Thedensity control apparatus provides resistance to the forward movement ofthe bagging machine. The bagging machines further may include a forwardbrake assembly operatively associated with the forward wheel assembly.The forward brake assembly may be adapted to provide auxiliaryresistance to forward movement of the bagging machine.

The bagging machine may additionally or alternatively include a densitycontrol apparatus adjustable between at least two predeterminedconfigurations. The bagging machine may include a material-formingenclosure having a floor assembly. At least one pair of density-settingposts may be disposed on the floor assembly. Additionally, an elongatedensity control member has first and second forward ends coupled to thebagging machine and has a central portion extending rearwardly withinthe material forming enclosure to thereby provide a density controlassembly of a first configuration. The elongate density control memberis also operatively associated with the at least one pair ofdensity-setting posts to selectively provide a density control assemblyof at least one additional configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a bagging machine having a forward brakeassembly and a density control apparatus coupled to the bagging machine.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a bagging machine having a forward brakeassembly and an alternative density control apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a bagging machine have a forward brake assemblyand another alternative density control apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a material-forming enclosure including adensity control assembly in a first configuration.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the material forming enclosure of FIG. 4showing the density control assembly in an additional configuration.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the material forming enclosure of FIG. 4including a floor assembly that includes a base member and a covermember and showing the density control assembly in two alternativeadditional configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a packing machine 10 according to the presentdisclosure. Packing machine 10 also may be referred to herein as baggingmachine 10. As used herein, “packing” and “bagging” are usedinterchangeably to refer to the act of pressing material into acontainer for storage. Bagging machine 10 may include a mobile frame 12having a forward region 14 and a rearward region 16. In someimplementations of the present disclosure, bagging machine 10 mayinclude an operator's cab 18. Additionally, bagging machine 10 mayinclude a motor 20 to power one or more components of the baggingmachine. Additionally or alternatively, bagging machine 10 may becoupled to the power take-off of an auxiliary tractor (not shown).Additionally or alternatively, bagging machine 10 may include a truck,such as a substantially traditional truck, having a bagging machineapparatus coupled to the truck bed, such as at the rear end thereof.Examples of a truck-mounted bagging machine are found in U.S. Pat. No.5,784,865, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Bagging machine 10 also may include a material-filling apparatus 22 anda material-forming enclosure 24. Material-forming enclosure 24 may beadapted to cooperate with a bag or other container (not shown) intowhich material-filling apparatus 22 packs the material. Material-formingenclosure 24 may include a number of components to facilitate orotherwise aid the cooperation between the bag and material-formingenclosure 24. For example, material forming enclosure 24 may include oneor more bag retainers adapted to retain the bag on the material-formingenclosure and gradually release the bag as needed. Material-fillingapparatus 22 may be adapted to include a feed tray 30, a hopper 32, anda rotary packer 34. Material-filling apparatus 22 may alternatively oradditionally include other components adapted to move material intomaterial-forming enclosure 24.

Packing machine 10 may be adapted to pack a variety of materials. Forexample, packing machine 10 may be adapted to bag compost material oragricultural material into bags or containers for storage and/orcomposting. As material-filling apparatus 22 moves material into thebag, the bag fills and the material is pressed or compressed within thebag. As additional material is packed into the bag, the bagging machine10 will move forward releasing the bag as needed to provide additionalroom for the material. Accordingly, material-filling apparatus 18 may beadapted to move the bagging machine forward.

A density control apparatus 36 may be operatively coupled to baggingmachine 10, or to mobile frame 12, and may extend rearwardly from itspoint of coupling. Density control apparatus 36 is disposed in operativeassociation with the material in material-forming enclosure 24 toprovide resistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine. Theamount of resistance provided by density control apparatus 36 cooperateswith material-filling apparatus 22 to control the rate at which baggingmachine 10 moves away from the closed end of the bag.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, bagging machine 10 may include a forward wheelassembly 38 and a rearward wheel assembly 40 adapted to enable thebagging machine to move over ground surface 42 as the driving force ofmaterial-filling apparatus 22 overcomes the resistance force of densitycontrol apparatus 36. Forward wheel assembly 38 may be coupled toforward region 14 of mobile frame 12. Similarly, rearward wheel assembly40 may be coupled to rearward region 16 of mobile frame 12. In someembodiments, forward wheel assembly 38 and rearward wheel assembly 40may be spaced apart. For example, depending on the length of the mobileframe 12, forward wheel assembly 38 and rearward wheel assembly 40 maybe spaced apart by at least about four feet, as measured from wheelcenter to wheel center. Forward wheel assembly 38 and rearward wheelassembly 40 may be spaced apart by between about four feet and aboutfourteen feet. In some embodiments, forward wheel assembly 38 andrearward wheel assembly 40 may be spaced apart by between about eightfeet and about 12 feet. While bagging machine 10 is illustrated withwheel assemblies 38,40, the wheel assemblies may be replaced orsupplemented by other support and transport systems. For example,bagging machine 10 may include a skid in place of rearward wheelassembly 40. Additionally or alternatively, wheel assemblies 38,40 maycooperate with a track assembly rather than traditional tires.

When bagging machine 10 includes wheel assemblies, the wheel assembliesmay include tires 44 and other components of traditional wheel systems,such as axels, suspension systems, steering systems, and the like. Theconfiguration of each wheel assembly will be determined by its function.Additionally, bagging machine 10 may include additional wheel assembliesto provide additional support for the bagging machine, to providegreater contact with the ground, to operate one or more trackassemblies, or for other reasons. For example, two rearward wheelassemblies may be provided. Additionally or alternatively, a wheelassembly may be provided in the mid-section of the mobile frame.

A brake assembly 46 may be operatively associated with one or more ofthe wheel assemblies. Brake assembly 46 may include braking mechanismsof any suitable configuration. For example, brake assembly 46 mayinclude air brakes configured as S-cam brakes, wedge brakes, discbrakes, or other suitable brake configurations. Similarly, brakeassembly 46 may include brakes of configurations other than air brakes.

Brake assembly 46 in operative association with one or more of the wheelassemblies may be adapted to provide auxiliary resistance to the forwardmovement of bagging machine 10. As described above, the resistanceforces on the bagging machine operate to slow the forward motion ofbagging machine 10 to increase the packing density of the materialpacked into the bag by material-filling apparatus 22. Brake assemblies46 in operative association with one or more of the wheel assemblies maybe adapted to cooperate with density control apparatus 36 to control thepacking density of the bagging operation.

For example, density control apparatus 36 may be disposed in aconfiguration determined by the operator to provide an estimated minimumamount of resistive force for the intended bagging operation, such as aparticular configuration suitable for bagging alfalfa or differentconfigurations suitable for bagging barley, corn, wheat, etc.Alternatively, bagging machine 10 and density control apparatus 36 mayonly have one configuration available. As the bagging operationproceeds, the operator may observe that greater resistance is necessaryto obtain the desired packing density. Accordingly, the operator mayengage one or more brake assembly 46 to increase the friction of one ormore of the wheel assemblies with the ground surface, thereby providingauxiliary resistance to forward movement and increasing the combinedresistance forces on bagging machine 10.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, the auxiliary resistanceprovided by brake assembly 46 may enable an operator to have greaterand/or more timely control over the packing density. As discussed above,altering the configuration of density control apparatus 36 during thebagging operation often incurs some delay between the time the operatorinitiates the configuration change and the time the change is fullyeffected. The resultant delay may waste valuable bag space if the bag isbeing packed too loosely. Alternatively, if the bag is being packed toodensely, it may be impossible for the bagging machine to continue itsforward progress and the operator's efforts to change the configurationof density control apparatus 36 may be in vain. One of the worstscenarios under previous bagging machines was when the packing densitywould be too great and the resulting resistance force on the densitycontrol apparatus would stall the bagging machine. When the resistanceforce from the density control apparatus overpowered the maximum forcethat could be applied by the material-filling apparatus, the operatorhad to stop the bagging operation and free the density control apparatusfrom the packed material, which often involved wasted agriculturalmaterial and wasted resources.

Brake assembly 46 provides bagging machine 10 with an auxiliaryresistance force that can be increased or decreased with significantlyreduced delays. In some applications, the effect of brake assembly 46may enable an operator to change the packing density substantiallyinstantaneously. Considering the situation where the packing density isobserved to be too low, the operator may increase the auxiliaryresistance by applying greater braking power. The increased resistanceis translated to the bag and the packing density increases asmaterial-filling apparatus packs the bag against a greater combinedresistance. Similarly, if the resistance force is too great, such aswhen the supplied agricultural material is wet, the operator may reducethe braking power applied by brake assembly 46 and may decrease thecombined resistance force to allow the bagging machine to move forwardat the desired rate to attain the desired packing density. Because theentire resistance force is not provided by the density control apparatusin association with the packed material, the operator's change may bemore immediate and/or more effective in responding to the varyingbagging conditions.

Bagging machine 10 may be provided with one or more brake assemblies 46of the same or different configurations. For example, forward wheelassembly 38 and rearward wheel assembly 40 may include brake assembliesof different configurations and/or braking strength. Alternatively,bagging machine 10 may include the same brake assembly on all wheelassemblies or on all wheel assemblies that are associated with a brakeassembly. However, regardless of the brake assembly's configuration orability to brake the rotation of the wheel, the amount of auxiliaryresistance provided by brake assembly 46 will be determined by theinteraction between the wheel assembly and the ground surface 42. Anumber of factors may affect this interaction to increase or decreasethe ability of brake assembly 46 to provide auxiliary resistance. Forexample, a wet ground surface or worn tire treads may decrease theamount of auxiliary resistance available.

In some implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, theoperation of bagging machine 10 may apply greater or lesser loading onone or more of the wheel assemblies. For example, forward wheel assembly38 may experience greater loading than rearward wheel assembly 40.Similarly, some implementations of bagging machine 10 may apply greaterloading on rearward wheel assembly 40. A number of factors may affectwhich of the wheel assemblies experiences greater or lesser loading. Forexample, the construction of bagging machine 10 may dispose a greaterproportion of the weight closer to one of the wheel assemblies.

Additionally or alternatively, the operation of bagging machine 10 mayapply a number of forces on machine 10, the result of which may be arotational force on the machine. For example, and with continuedreference to FIG. 1, density control apparatus 36 may be coupled tobagging machine 10 above ground surface 42 at a resistance height 48.Similarly, material-filling apparatus 22 may be configured such that thedriving force provided by the material-filling apparatus is spaced apartfrom the ground surface at a driving force height 50. In someimplementations, the spacing between these two forces and the point atwhich the forces are applied may produce an upward force in rearwardregion 16 of mobile frame 12 and a corresponding downward force inforward region 14 of mobile frame 12. Other factors, such as thetrajectory of material exiting material-filling apparatus 22 and theangle at which density control apparatus 36 applies its resistanceforce, may influence the degree to which the rearward region experiencesan upward force and the forward region experiences a downward force.

Bagging machine 10 according to the present disclosure may include brakeassemblies 46, wheel assemblies 38,40, material-filling apparatus 22,and/or density control apparatus 36 configured to optimize the amount ofauxiliary resistance force provided by the one or more brake assemblies.While any one or more of these components may be modified to optimizethe auxiliary resistance force, it has been found that a bagging machinehaving a density control apparatus 36 and a forward brake assembly 52provide a suitable combined resistance force. Bagging machinesincorporating a rearward brake assembly 54 in combination with forwardwheel assembly 52 and density control apparatus 36 also providesatisfactory results.

In some applications, it has been found that increasing the spacingbetween forward wheel assembly 38 and material-filling apparatus 22,such as rotary packer 34, may increase the downward forces applied tothe forward wheel assembly. Accordingly, the space between forward wheelassembly 38 and material-filling apparatus 22 may be varied to optimizethe amount of auxiliary resistance force brake assembly 46 is able toprovide. In some implementations, forward wheel assembly 38 may bespaced from material-filling apparatus, or a component thereof such asthe rotary packer, by between about four feet and about fifteen feet. Inother implementations, the spacing may range from about six feet toabout twelve feet. In still other implementations, between about eightfeet and about ten feet may separate forward wheel assembly 38 andmaterial-filling apparatus 22, or a component thereof. The spacingimplemented in a given bagging machine may be selected based on factorssuch as the intended bagging conditions, the expected transport needsfor the bagging machine, the cooperating density control apparatusconfiguration, or other factors.

In operation, bagging machine 10 begins by packing material into thebag. As the available space in the bag is filled, density controlapparatus 36 resists the forward motion of bagging machine 10 until itsresistance force is overcome by the driving force of material-fillingapparatus 22. As bagging machine 10 begins to move forward, the packingdensity in the bag may be observed to be too low or too high. Anoperator may then adjust one or more of the components applying aresistance force to control the packing density. For example, if thepacking density is too low, the operator may apply forward brakeassembly 52 to provide auxiliary resistance and to increase the packingdensity. Additionally or alternatively, the operator may apply rearwardbrake assembly 54.

The brake assemblies 46 may be operated from within operator's cab 18via one or more controls. For example, forward brake assembly 52 mayinclude a control system adapted to be operated from the operator's cab.Accordingly, the operator may selectively engage forward brake assembly52, rearward brake assembly 54, or both. Alternatively, forward brakeassembly 52 and rearward brake assembly 54 may include control systemsthat are integrated into a single control in the operator's cab. In suchconfigurations, the operator may engage a single control to increase ordecrease the auxiliary resistance force provided by brake assembly 46,whether it includes brake assemblies on one or more of the wheelassemblies. Moreover, brake assembly 46, whether there be one or morebrake assembly, may be controlled from locations other than theoperator's cab. For example, controls may be provided on the sides ofthe bagging machine or remote from the bagging machine.

As discussed above, bagging machine 10 may include a substantiallyconventional truck having forward wheels, rearward wheels, and a truckcab. In such configurations, forward and/or rearward brake assemblies52,54 may be conventional brake systems provided to the truck and may beuseful for braking the bagging machine truck both during baggingoperations and during transport of the truck. Additionally oralternatively, one or more of the brake assemblies may be adapted foruse during bagging operations but not for use in transport of thebagging machine truck. Similarly, one or more of the brake assembliesmay be adapted to be selectively configurable by an operator between onesetting for use during bagging operations and another setting for useduring transport of the truck.

Brake assemblies 46 may be used in combination with any suitable densitycontrol apparatus 36. Exemplary combinations are illustrated in FIGS.1-3. Density control apparatus 36 may be adapted to provide one or moreconfigurations. Accordingly, density control apparatus 36 may provide atleast one density control setting. When density control apparatus 36provides only one density control setting, brake assembly 46 may beoperated to adjust the total resistance force by varying the auxiliaryresistance applied by the brake assembly. When density control apparatus36 includes a plurality of density control settings, the density controlapparatus and brake assembly 46 may cooperate to allow the user toselect the total resistance force. As will be understood by thediscussion herein, density control apparatus 36 may be adapted toprovide a single configuration, or density control setting. Additionallyor alternatively, density control apparatus 36 may be adapted to providea plurality of configurations, each of which may be selected prior tobeginning bagging operations, the selection of which is unchangeableduring the bagging operation. Density control apparatus 36 may also beadapted to provide a plurality of configurations selectable beforebeginning the bagging operations and during the bagging operations.

One example of density control apparatus 36 having one or more of thesecharacteristics is illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated, densitycontrol apparatus 36 includes an elongate density control member 56having first and second forward ends 58 coupled to bagging machine 10.Density control member 56 additionally includes a central portion 60that extends rearwardly within material-forming enclosure 24 to providea density control assembly 62. As shown, density control member 56includes a cable that may form a cable loop 64 having a rearward portion66 disposed behind the material-filling apparatus. Density controlapparatus 36 may include other elongate density control members extendedrearwardly within the material-forming enclosure. For example, densitycontrol apparatus 36 may include a hanging anchor, such as may be formedby a single cable extending rearwardly to an anchor or other structure.Additionally or alternatively, more than one elongate density controlmember may be implemented, either as a loop or as a hanging anchor.

Density control member 56, such as cable loop 64, may be coupled tobagging machine 10 in any suitable manner. For example, one or more offorward ends 58 may be selectively or substantially permanently coupledto material-forming enclosure 24, to mobile frame 12, or to anothercomponent of bagging machine 10. Furthermore, density control member 56may be entirely disposed within material-forming enclosure 24 or mayhave portions that extend outside of material-forming enclosure 24. Forexample, forward ends 58 may extend outside of material-formingenclosure 24 by extending through one or more of the side walls or thefront wall. Similarly, rearward portion 66 may extend beyond therearward end of material-forming enclosure 24.

As discussed above, density control apparatus 36 may be adapted toprovide one or more density control settings and may be adapted to befixed during operation or adjustable during operation. Density controlapparatus 36 illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present application isillustrative and exemplary of the various elongate density controlmembers that may be operatively coupled to bagging machine 10 to provideresistance to the forward of the bagging machine. Other density controlapparatus including elongate density control members are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,297,377; 5,425,220; 5,463,849; 5,517,806; 5,671,594;5,775,069; 5,857,313; 6,655,116; 6,694,711; and RE38,020, each of whichis incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

With reference to FIG. 2, density control apparatus 36 may additionallyor alternatively include a drag member 68. Drag member 68 may be asingle sheet member or a plurality of drag members. Drag member 68 mayalso have one or more configurations that may be fixed or adjustableduring the bagging operation. Density control apparatus 36 including oneor more drag members are described in U.S. Pat. No, 6,748,724 and U.S.Patent Application Publication 20050016132A1, for which the issue feehas been paid, both of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety for all purposes.

Turning now to FIG. 3, material-forming enclosure 24 is illustrated asproviding density control apparatus 36 by way of an extendedmaterial-forming enclosure 70. As can be seen in FIG. 3, extendedmaterial-forming enclosure 70 is coupled to the mobile frame and extendsrearwardly therefrom in operative association with the material in thematerial-forming enclosure. The extended length of the material-formingenclosure increases the contact area between the material-formingenclosure and the material packed therein. The increased contact areaincreases the frictional resistance applied by the interior surfaces ofextended material-forming enclosure 70.

In some implementations of bagging machine 10, extended material-formingenclosure may have a length that is proportional to the effectivediameter of the enclosure. The effective diameter of thematerial-forming enclosure may be the distance between opposingsidewalls of the enclosure. The relationship between the effectivediameter of the extended material-forming enclosure and the length ofthe enclosure may affect the resistance against forward movement of thebagging machine in a manner similar to the principles of fluid flow inpipes or other channels. In some implementations, the effective diameterof the material-forming enclosure may range from about 6 feet to about20 feet, with enclosures having diameters from about 8 feet to about 14feet being more conventional. With the effective diameter of thematerial-forming enclosure represented as “D,” the length of extendedmaterial-forming enclosure may range from about 0.5 D to about 2 D. Forexample, when the effective diameter is 8 feet, the length of theextended material-forming enclosure may range from about 4 feet to about16 feet. Other suitable lengths may be used. For example, the materialforming enclosure may range from about 4 feet to about 16 feet long. Insome embodiments, extended material-forming enclosure may range fromabout 8 feet to about 12 feet long. The length of the extendedmaterial-forming enclosure may be selected to provide a predeterminedamount of resistance to forward movement. Other factors, such asintended transportation or storage needs for the bagging machine mayaffect the length of the material-forming enclosure. In someimplementations, the length of the tunnel may range from about 0.8 D toabout 1.5 D. A length of 0.8 D may be preferred in light of the variousfactors, such as transportation, storage, etc.

Bagging machines 10 may include a variety of material-formingenclosures, including the extended material-forming enclosures describedabove. Some bagging machines may include adjustable material-formingenclosures. Suitable material-forming enclosures are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,355,659; 6,834,479; and 6,907,714 and in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/020,646, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, and entitled“BAGGING MACHINE WITH A TUNNEL AT LEAST PARTIALLY FORMED OF FLEXIBLEMATERIAL;” and Ser. No. 11/022,043, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, and entitled“BAGGING MACHINE WITH AN ADJUSTABLE TUNNEL,” all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.Extended material-forming enclosure 70 may be adapted to be lengthenedor shortened either before beginning bagging operations or duringbagging operations.

As described above, bagging machine 10 with brake assembly 46 may beused with a variety of density control apparatus 36. FIGS. 4-7illustrate various aspects of a multi-hub density control apparatus 72that may be used with a bagging machine, with or without a brakeassembly. FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of material-forming enclosure24 that may be coupled to a bagging machine. Material-forming enclosure24 includes an intake end that may be permanently or selectively coupledto the rearward region of a bagging machine or a mobile frame thereof.Material-forming enclosure 24 illustrated in FIG. 4 is representative ofany suitable material-forming enclosure that may be used in conjunctionwith multi-hub density control apparatus 72. The material-formingenclosures described above, whether fixed or adjustable, are suitablefor use with the multi-hub density control apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 4, material-forming enclosure 24 includes a floorassembly 74. Floor assembly 74 may extend from one side wall 76 a ofmaterial-forming enclosure 24 to the other side wall 76 b.Alternatively, floor assembly 74 may be configured to extend rearwardlyfrom the front wall 78 of material-forming enclosure 24 without touchingor otherwise coupling to the side walls. Similarly, floor assembly 74may be coupled to bagging machine 10, the mobile frame 12 thereof, orsome other component thereof, independent of material-forming enclosure24. For example, floor assembly 74 may be added to an otherwiseconventional bagging machine after manufacturing to reconfigure thebagging machine to cooperate with a multi-hub density control apparatus.

Floor assembly 74 includes at least one pair of density-setting posts80. As illustrated in FIG. 4, floor assembly 74 may include four pairsof density-setting posts (80 a, 80 b, etc). Configurations with one,two, three, four, five, six, or more pairs of density-setting posts arepossible. Each of the density-setting posts 82 may be substantiallypermanently coupled to floor assembly 74, such as by welding or othersubstantially permanent means. Additionally or alternatively,density-setting posts 82 may be integrally formed with the floorassembly. Moreover, density-setting posts 82 and floor assembly 74 maybe adapted to selectively couple density-setting posts 82 to the floorassembly to allow removal or addition of density-setting posts asdesired. Illustrative examples of selectively coupled density-settingposts are discussed in relation to FIGS. 7-12. In operation, the forceson density-setting posts 82 will be fairly significant and the couplingof the density-setting posts to the floor assembly should be strongenough to withstand those forces to reduce the risk of breakage duringoperation.

The at least one pair of density-setting posts 80 may be disposed onfloor assembly 74 substantially equidistantly between a floor assemblyfirst end 84 and a floor assembly second end 86. With reference to FIG.4, a pair of density-setting posts 80 a is illustrated as including twodensity-setting posts 82, one of which is a first density-setting post82 a and the other of which is a second density-setting post 82 b. Firstdensity-setting post 82 a may be spaced apart from floor assembly firstend 84 and second density-setting post 82 b may be spaced apart fromfloor assembly second end 86. First density-setting post 82 a and seconddensity-setting post 82 b may be spaced apart from their respectivefloor assembly ends by substantially the same distance.

Floor assembly 74 may include a base member 88 and a cover member 90. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, density-setting posts 82 may be disposed on basemember 88. Cover member 90 may be operatively associated with basemember 88 and density-setting posts 82 to cover the density-settingposts during operation of the bagging machine and to allow access to thedensity-setting posts to adjust the multi-hub density control apparatus.Cover member 90 and base member 88 further may be adapted to not impedethe packing operation. Additionally or alternatively, base member 88 andcover member 90 may be adapted to functionally interact with thematerial being bagged to aid in the bagging operation. Base member 88and cover member 90 will be described in more detail in connection withFIG. 6.

With continuing reference to FIG. 4, density-setting posts 82 areillustrated as coupled to floor assembly 74. Density-setting posts 82may include an upstanding member 92 having an upper end 94 and having afirst cross-sectional dimension. Density-setting posts 82 mayadditionally include a cap member 96 adjacent upper end 94 that has asecond cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the firstcross-sectional dimension. As illustrated in FIG. 4, upstanding member92 is substantially cylindrical and extends vertically from floorassembly 74. Upstanding member 92 may be formed in other configurations,such as to have an elliptical cross-section or other cross-sectionalconfiguration. Due to the interaction of upstanding member 92 with theelongate density control member, rounded edges may be preferred forupstanding member 92 rather than sharp corners or edges. FIG. 4illustrates density-setting posts 82 in a substantially lineararrangement on floor assembly 74. Density-setting posts 82 may bedisposed in any suitable manner on floor assembly 74, such as inalternating forward and rearward positions so that adjacentdensity-setting posts are offset from each other.

As illustrated, cap member 96 is disc-shaped. Cap member 96 may be ofuniform thickness, may have a center portion that is thicker than theedge portion, or other configuration. Cap member 96 may be centered onupstanding member 92 or may be offset in any direction. Similar toupstanding member 92, cap member 96 may have a variety ofcross-sectional configurations in addition to the disc-shapedconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, cap member 96 may beelliptical, square, rectangular, or other suitable configuration.Because the edges of cap member 96 do not interact with the elongatedensity control member during bagging operations, cap member 96 mayinclude rounded and/or sharp corners or edges. As mentioned above, capmember 96 may have a cross-sectional dimension greater than thecross-sectional dimension of upstanding member 92. The largercross-sectional dimension enables cap member 96 to retain the elongatedensity control member in operative association with the density-settingposts, as will be discussed in greater detail herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, multi-hub density control apparatus72 includes an elongate density control member 102 having first andsecond forward ends 104 a, 104 b coupled to the bagging machine.Elongate density control member 102 also includes a central portion 106extending rearwardly within the material forming enclosure to provide adensity control assembly 108. Density control assembly 106 functionsduring the bagging operation in manner similar to conventional cableloops in that the loop portion extending rearwardly interacts with thepacked material to resist the forward movement of the bagging machine.

FIG. 4 illustrates density control assembly 108 in a first configurationwhere first and second forward ends 104 a, 104 b are coupled to thebagging machine and the central portion 106 extends directly therefromwithout coupling to any of the density-setting posts. More specifically,first forward end 104 a is selectively coupled to the bagging machinethrough a passage 110 in front wall 78 leading to a releasing mechanism112. Second forward end 104 b is coupled to mounting post 114, which isdisposed inside material-forming enclosure 24 on floor assembly 74. FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary first configuration where central portion 106extends directly from the coupling points of the first and secondforward ends 104 of the density control member.

The first configuration of density control assembly 108 may include anumber of variations from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. Forexample, second forward end 104 b may be selectively coupled to areleasing mechanism. Similarly, both forward ends 104 may be coupled toreleasing mechanisms or to mounting posts. Whether coupled to releasingmechanisms or to mounting posts, forward ends 104 may extend throughmaterial-forming enclosure 24 either through front wall 78 or side wall76.

Releasing mechanism 112 may include one or more moving parts thatselectively position releasing mechanism 112 in a locked position. Inthe locked position, releasing mechanism secures forward end 104 ofelongate density control member 102. Upon freeing releasing mechanism112 from the locked position, the releasing mechanism allows the forwardend to be uncoupled from the bagging machine. During bagging operations,uncoupling one forward end of the density control member facilitatesconclusion of the bagging operation as the bagging machine frees itselffrom the packed material.

Mounting post 114 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as including an upstandingmember to which density control member 102 is coupled. Mounting post 114may include any suitable features to ensure density control member 102is securely coupled during bagging operations. Suitable configurationswill vary depending on the nature and configuration of density controlmember 102. Mounting post 114 may be configured similar todensity-setting posts 82, including an upstanding member and a capmember. In some applications, it may be desirable for mounting post 114to be substantially permanently coupled to one forward end of thedensity control member. Alternatively, mounting post 114 may provide fora fixed coupling during bagging operation and provide for convenientrelease of density control member 102 when not in a bagging operation.For example, it may be desirable to completely remove density controlmember 102 during storage or transport of the bagging machine ormaterial-forming enclosure 24.

Multi-hub density control apparatus 72 further may be modified from theembodiment of FIG. 4 by repositioning forward ends 104. As illustratedin FIG. 4, forward ends 104 are coupled to the bagging machine at pointsoutward from the outermost pair of density-setting posts 80. Forwardends 104 may be coupled to the bagging machine at any suitable location.For example, one or more of forward ends 104 may be coupled to thebagging machine inwardly from the outermost pair of density-settingposts 82. In some configurations, there may be one or more pairs ofdensity-setting posts inward and/or outward of the forward ends ofelongate density control member 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, multi-hub density control apparatus72 may additionally include one or more guide post 116. Guide post 116may be disposed on floor assembly 74 and may be operatively associatedwith elongate density control member 102 to appropriately position theelongate density control member for use during the bagging operation. Asshown in FIG. 4, guide post 116 is adapted to position the elongatedensity control member so that forward end 104 a passes directly throughpassage 110 without applying pressure on the sides of the passage and sothat the forces applied to releasing mechanism 112 by elongate densitycontrol member 102 are directed in a desired direction. One or moreguide posts 116 may be disposed in operative association with elongatedensity control member 102 depending on the arrangement of the remainingcomponents of multi-hub density control apparatus 72.

FIG. 5 illustrates multi-hub density control apparatus 72 andmaterial-forming enclosure 24 of FIG. 4 with elongate density controlmember 102 operatively associated with the at least one pair ofdensity-setting posts 80 to provide a density control assembly 108 of anadditional configuration. As in FIG. 4, density control assembly 108 ofFIG. 5 includes elongate density control member 102 including forwardends 104 coupled to the bagging machine and central portion 106 thatextends rearwardly within material-forming enclosure 24. The firstconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 4 and the additional configurationillustrated in FIG. 5 each include spaced apart forward legs 118 thatextend rearwardly and that are joined by a rearward portion 120.However, the additional configuration of FIG. 5 illustrates forward legs118 including an adjustment region 122 adapted to extend transversallyto operatively couple elongate density control member 102 to one of theat least one pair of density-setting posts 80.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the at least one pair ofdensity-setting posts 80 are operatively associated with elongatedensity control member 102 to allow density control member 102 to beselectively coupled to a given pair to provide a density controlassembly of a configuration different from the first configurationprovided by the coupling of the density control member to the baggingmachine directly without coupling via a pair of density-setting posts.The position of the pair of density-setting posts 80 determines thedistance between the spaced apart forward legs 118 of the variousdensity control assembly configurations. For example, without couplingto any of the density-setting posts, such as illustrated in FIG. 4,forward legs 118 of density control member 102 are spaced apart by afirst distance. Whereas, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5,forward legs 118 are spaced apart by a distance distinct from the firstdistance. With reference to FIG. 6, when density control member 102 iscoupled to a given pair of density-setting posts 80, forward legs 114are spaced apart from each other by a distance that is distinct from thespacing of forward legs 114 when density control member 102 is coupledto a different pair of density-setting posts 80.

Accordingly, each pair of density-setting posts 80 is adapted to beoperatively associated with elongate density control member 102 toprovide a density control assembly 108 of a configuration distinct fromthe density control assembly configuration provided by the remainingpairs of density-setting posts 80. The position of density-setting posts82 and the spacing between the posts may be varied based on a number offactors to provide a plurality of predetermined configurations fordensity control assembly 108. For example, a multi-hub density controlapparatus may include just one pair of density-setting posts 80 toprovide two available configurations. Additionally or alternatively, amulti-hub density control apparatus may include between about two andabout six pairs of density-setting posts 80 to provide greatervariations in the predetermined configurations of density controlassembly 108. Some bagging machines may be intended for use in a narrowrange of applications, such as always bagging alfalfa or corn. Otherbagging machines may be intended for use in a much broader range ofbagging applications, such as bagging alfalfa, barley, wheat, oats,corn, and compost material. Accordingly, the number and position ofdensity-setting posts 82 may vary according to the intended applicationof the multi-hub density control apparatus.

Multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may include one or more pairs ofdensity-setting posts 80 in a variety of arrangements, as discussedabove. However, each pair of density-setting posts 80 may be configuredto position elongate density control member 102 to provide a densitycontrol assembly in a configuration suitable for the intended baggingoperations. For example, density-setting posts 82 may be adapted toretain the elongate density control member in the selected configurationduring operation of the bagging machine. As described above,density-setting posts 82 may include cap members 96 or other featuresadapted to maintain the density control member's association with thedensity-setting posts during operation.

Additionally or alternatively, each of the one or more pairs ofdensity-setting posts 80 may be adapted to center density controlassembly 108 within material-forming enclosure 24. As discussed above,each density-setting post 82 of each of the pairs 80 may be disposedequidistantly from the ends of floor assembly 74. Additionally oralternatively, each density-setting post 82 of each of the pairs 80 maybe disposed equidistantly from the centerline of material-formingenclosure 24.

FIG. 6 illustrates the multi-hub density control apparatus of FIGS. 4and 5 showing density control member 102 disposed to provide a densitycontrol assembly in two of the selectable additional configurations. Asdiscussed above, each of the additional configurations of densitycontrol assembly 108 are distinct from the others and from the firstconfiguration of FIG. 4 at least in the spacing between forward legs118. Moreover, each of the configurations may be distinct in thedistance to which the rearward portion 120 extends rearwardly behind thematerial-filling apparatus 22.

As discussed above, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may includeone or more pairs of density-setting posts 80 depending on the intendedusage of the density control apparatus. FIG. 6 illustrates elongatedensity control member 102 associated with a first pair ofdensity-setting posts 80, shown as density control assembly 108 a insolid lines, and associated with a second pair of density-setting posts80, shown as an alternative density control assembly 108 b in dashedlines. As discussed above, density control assembly 108 may be providedin different configurations depending on the material to be bagged. Ingeneral, a narrower configuration may be preferred for bagging materialsuch as alfalfa and legumes. A wider configuration may be preferred forbagging material such as barley, wheat, oats, and triticali. An evenwider setting may be preferred for bagging material such as corn orsorghum. Local conditions such as moisture content, material particlesize, and other factors may vary the desired configuration for aparticular material. An operator of a bagging machine with a multi-hubdensity control apparatus will associate elongate density control member102 with a particular pair of density-setting posts 80 based on thematerial to be bagged and the local conditions of the bagging operation.

In some applications, the operator may select the configuration ofdensity control assembly 108 from among the available firstconfiguration and one or more additional configurations to provide thenarrowest configuration that is expected to be required for suitablebagging of the material. A narrow configuration will generally provideless resistance against forward movement than a wider configuration.While a particular configuration may be appropriate for bagging drymaterial, a load of wet material may apply too much resistance.Accordingly, density control assembly 108 may be disposed in aconfiguration suitable for bagging wet material.

In the event that all the material bagged is wet material ofsubstantially the same constitution, the predetermined configuration ofdensity control assembly 108 would provide optimum bagging conditions.However, among the many loads of material packed into a conventionalbag, there is often a fair amount of variation. Accordingly, a bagpacked by a bagging machine including only a multi-hub density controlapparatus may include variations in packing density along the length ofthe packed bag. In some applications, such variation is acceptable.

However, many operators of bagging machines according to the presentdisclosure desire, for a number of reasons, a bag packed tosubstantially the same density throughout the vast majority of the bag.Accordingly, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may be used as theonly density control apparatus in a bagging machine or may be combinedwith other suitable density control apparatus that provide adjustabledensity control features. As one example, multi-hub density controlapparatus 72 may be used with brake assembly 46, including forward brakeassembly 52, rearward brake assembly 54, or both, such as describedabove. Other exemplary density control apparatus that may be used inconjunction with multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may include avariable length extended material-forming enclosure or a variable dragmember, such as described above and in the patents and patentapplications previously incorporated herein. Additionally oralternatively, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may be providedwith one or more forward ends that extend through the front or sidewalls of material-forming enclosure 24 to a winch adapted to let out ordraw in lengths of the elongate density control member. The winch may beadapted to vary the configuration of the density control assembly formedby the density control member, particularly the distance to whichdensity control assembly extends rearwardly of the material-fillingapparatus. Accordingly, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 providesa density control assembly having at least two user-selectableconfigurations that provide a fixed separation between the forward legsof the density control assembly during operation of the bagging machine.

FIG. 6 further illustrates base member 88 and cover member 90 that mayform part of floor assembly 74. As discussed briefly above,density-setting posts 82 may be disposed on base member 88. Cover member90 may be operatively associated with base member 88 and density-settingposts 82 to cover the posts during operation of the bagging machine andto allow access to the posts to adjust the multi-hub density controlapparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 6, cover member 90 may be pivotallycoupled to front wall 78 of material-forming enclosure 24. Additionallyor alternatively, floor assembly 74 and/or base member 88 may includeone or more upstanding members to which cover member 90 may be coupled.When a cover member is included in floor assembly 74, any suitableoperative association between cover member 90 and base member 88 may beimplemented that enables cover member 90 to suitably cover thedensity-setting posts of the multi-hub density control apparatus.

A floor assembly including a cover member and a base member may beconfigured with a single cover member or with two or more cover members.As shown in FIG. 6, floor assembly 74 includes two cover members 90 a,90 b, each covering approximately half the length of the floor assembly.Cover member 90 may be configured to provide access to density-settingposts to allow an operator to selectively adjust the configuration ofdensity control assembly 108. As illustrated, cover member 90 does notextend the full width (measured from the forward end of floor assembly74 to the rearward end of floor assembly 74) of the floor assembly. Basemember 88 may provide a flat surface, on which density-setting posts 82are disposed, and an angled surface sloping downwardly from the flatsurface. Cover member 90 may be adapted or disposed to provide asubstantially continuous downward sloping surface during baggingoperations.

Additionally or alternatively, cover member 90 and/or base member 88 mayinclude bevels, inclined regions, or other changes in slope to furthercontrol or alter the path of the material being packed into the bag.Furthermore, cover member 90 may be associated with base member 88 toprovide a narrow opening when cover member 90 is closed during baggingoperations. As illustrated in FIG. 6, elongate density control member102 extends rearwardly between cover member 90 and base member 88. Thenarrow opening between cover member 90 and base member 88 may beprovided and maintained simply by the cover member resting on elongatedensity control member 102. Additionally or alternatively,density-setting posts 82 may be configured to provide a rest to supportcover member 90 in its closed position. Cover member 90 may be supportedin its closed position to provide the narrow opening in a number ofother suitable manners. For example, and not as a limitation, basemember 88 may include support posts at the forward end near the couplingof the cover member or near the rearward location where the cover memberrests in the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 6, cover member 90 extends the entire width ofmaterial-forming enclosure 24. Alternatively, cover member 90 may beonly as long as floor assembly 74, which, as described above, need notbe as long as the width of material-forming enclosure 24. Cover member90 may also be sized to only provide coverage of density-setting posts82 in the region where material is exiting material-filling apparatus22. Floor assembly 74 may include base members, cover members, and/oradditional suitable components in various configurations to accommodatedensity-setting posts 82 and the multi-hub density control apparatus 72.

As discussed above, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 may includedensity-setting posts 82 that are selectively coupled to floor assembly74. FIGS. 7-12 illustrate a number of manners in which a density-settingpost may be operatively coupled to the floor assembly. Whileillustrative, the embodiments of FIGS. 7-12 are only exemplary and othersuitable configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure.Where appropriate, elements in FIGS. 7-12 that are similar to elementsin FIGS. 4-6 will be identified with the same reference numerals.

Turning now to FIG. 7, material forming enclosure 24 includes a floorassembly 74, which includes base member 88 and cover member 90. Basemember 88 includes a support member 124 and a sloped member 126. Supportmember 124 may be provided by any suitable structure to which one ormore density-setting posts 82 may be mounted or operatively coupled. InFIG. 7, support member 124 is provided by a beam such as square beam128, which may begin as a substantially hollow, square tube. Slopedmember 126 may be provided by any suitable material, such as sheetmetal, to provide the sloped face of the floor assembly. Sloped member126 may be coupled to support member 124 or may be otherwise coupled toa portion of the floor assembly to form base member 88. As discussedabove, cover member 90 and base member 88 may be adapted to provide asubstantially smooth, sloped surface during the bagging operation.Accordingly, sloped member 126 may be adapted to cooperate with supportmember 124 and cover member 90 to provide a substantially continuousdownwardly sloping surface.

With continuing reference to FIG. 7, a plurality of post-receiving holes130 may be provided in square beam 128. Post-receiving holes 130 may beadapted to receive a density-setting post 82 to operatively couple thedensity-setting post to square beam 128. Density-setting post 82 isillustrated in FIG. 7 as a peg-style density-setting post 134, which isillustrated in better detail in FIG. 8. Peg-style density-setting post134 may be configured to include a lower portion adapted to be insertedinto a post-receiving hole and to include an upper portion adapted toextend above the support member to provide a density-setting postadapted to operatively associate with the elongate density controlmember 102. Multi-hub density control apparatus 72 of FIG. 7 may includeany suitable number of post-receiving holes spaced at any suitableinterval to provide each post with sufficient strength to withstand theoperational forces placed thereon and to provide the operator of thepacking machine with a desired degree of variability in the availablespacings between forward legs 118 of density control assembly 108.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, multi-hub density control apparatus 72includes just two peg-style density-setting posts 134, which form the atleast one pair of density-setting posts 80 discussed above. Additionalpeg-style density-setting posts may be provided as desired.Additionally, FIG. 7 illustrates first and second ends 104 a, 104 b ofelongate density control member 102 coupled to the packing machine inthe same manner as described above for FIGS. 4-6. It is within the scopeof the present disclosure that first and second ends 104 a, 104 b may becoupled to the packing machine in any suitable manner, such as thosedescribed above. Moreover, first and second ends 104 a, 104 b may becoupled to selectively removable posts, such as peg-styledensity-setting posts 134.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of an exemplary support member 124,illustrated as a square beam 128. As illustrated, square beam 128 has afirst end 84 and a second end 86 with a number of post-receiving holes130 spaced along the length of the beam. FIG. 8 also illustrates squarebeam 128 including a hinge 131 disposed substantially in the midsectionthereof, between first intermediate region 127 and second intermediateregion 129. The hinge and coupling in the midsection is shown somewhatschematically in FIG. 8 and is representative of the numerous ways thattwo beams can be adjustably coupled together. As described in greaterdetail above, material forming enclosure 24 may take a number ofdifferent forms, including collapsible or folding material formingenclosures such as described above and in other patents and patentapplications previously incorporated herein by reference. Similar tohinge 131 disposed in square beam 128, other elements of materialforming enclosure 24, such as sloped member 126, may be appropriatelyadapted to enable folding of the material forming enclosure whendesired.

As discussed above, post-receiving holes 130 may be spaced at anysuitable interval, such as two inches, three inches, four inches, fiveinches, or six inches center-to-center. Similarly, the diameter oreffective size of the post-receiving holes 130 may be of any suitablesize, which may depend on the dimensions and material of the supportmember 124 and/or the dimensions and materials of the peg-styledensity-setting post 134. Continuing with the example of a circularpost-receiving hole, post-receiving hole 130 may have a diametermeasuring one inch, one and a half inches, two inches, or anothermeasurement larger than, smaller than, or within that range.Post-receiving holes 130 may be substantially circular, as illustrated,or may be formed in other suitable shapes to accommodate the peg-styledensity-setting posts 134, which may include a lower portion adapted orformed to coordinate with the post-receiving holes. Exemplaryalternative configurations include square-shaped, oval-shaped, and othershapes, including more complicated geometries.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, peg-style density-setting post 134 includes alower post segment 136, an upper post segment 138, a lower washer member140, and a cap member 142. Peg-style density-setting post 134 may beformed of one or more separate pieces fixedly or adjustably coupledtogether. For example, lower post segment 136 and upper post segment 138may be formed of an integral post and be divided only by lower washermember 140 welded or otherwise secured in place. Alternatively, upperand lower post segments 136, 138 may include separate posts welded orotherwise coupled together, directly or indirectly, to form peg-styledensity-setting posts 134. Additionally or alternatively, lower washermember 140 and cap member 142 may be coupled to peg-styledensity-setting post 134 in a number of suitable manners. For example,lower washer member 140 may be welded or threadedly coupled to thedensity-setting post. Threaded coupling of the lower washer member mayprovide a variable height peg-style density-setting post 134. Whilepeg-style density-setting post 134 may include a cylindrical lower postmember 136 as illustrated, other configurations of lower post member 136are also within the scope of the present disclosure. As discussed above,the configuration of the peg-style density-setting posts and thepost-receiving holes may be the same or similar. Additionally oralternatively, the configurations may be different by corresponding toallow peg-setting density-setting post 134 to be disposed inpost-receiving hole 130, as illustrated by arrow 144 in FIG. 8.

Square beam 128 may be adapted to accommodate and hold peg-styledensity-setting posts 134 in a number of manners. As one example,post-receiving holes 130 may include corresponding holes provided in thetop and bottom of square beam 128. The lower portion of peg-styledensity-setting post 134 may extend through both of the holes with lowerwasher member 140 resting against the top of square beam 128. Similarly,a hole may be provided in the top of square beam 128 and a correspondingrecess may be provided on the interior surface of the bottom of squarebeam 128. The recess may be sized to receive the lowermost end of lowerpost segment 136 and may be configured to allow the peg-styledensity-setting post to be vertically stable without the need for alower washer member. The holes provided in square beam 128 may be simpleholes, may be reinforced with ribs or other structures, and/or mayinclude additional elements adapted to cooperate with density-settingposts 82.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, post-receiving holes 130 areillustrated as including sleeve 132 disposed vertically within squarebeam 128 opening at least to a hole in the upper surface of square beam128. Similar to the discussion above, sleeve 132 may have an open bottomor a closed bottom. Sleeve 132 may have the same cross-section as thehole in the upper surface or may have a different cross-section, by sizeor by shape. Sleeve 132 may be adapted to provide greater stability topeg-style density-setting post 134 when it is disposed in thepost-receiving hole 130. Sleeve 132 may additionally or alternatively beadapted to provide additional strength to the square beam 128 in thevicinity of the post-receiving holes 130. Only two sleeves 132 areillustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 8; however, each of post-receivingholes 130 may be similarly provided with a sleeve 132.

In operation, multi-hub density control apparatus 72 of FIGS. 7 and 8may operate in a manner similar to that described above in relation toFIGS. 4-6. The operator determines the desired configuration of densitycontrol assembly 108 and the desired spacing between the forward legs118. When using the density control apparatus of FIG. 7, however, theoperator is able to position the selectively coupled peg-styledensity-setting posts 134 in any of the post-receiving holes 130 ratherthan being limited by the post positions selected by the packing machinemanufacturer. The ability to place the two or more peg-styledensity-setting posts in any of the available post-receiving holes 130may provide greater variability in the base density settings availableto the operator, thereby allow the operator to closer approximate thedensity control provided by the density control assembly 108 to thedensity control desired during operation and allowing the brake assemblyor other density controlling assembly to provide fine tuning densitycontrol resistance over a smaller range.

FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary configuration of multi-hub densitycontrol apparatus 72 having selectively coupled, or selectivelypositionable, density-setting posts 82. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, thesupport member of base member 88 is provided by I-beam 146 anddensity-setting posts 82 are provided by sliding density-setting posts148. The remaining elements of density control apparatus 72 and materialforming enclosure may be as described above.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a section of I-beam 146showing the relationship between sliding density-setting posts 148,150and the I-beam. I-beam 146 includes top flange 152, bottom flange 154,and upright member 156. FIG. 10 illustrates the density-setting posts intwo exemplary sliding density-setting posts 148, 150. Slidingdensity-setting posts 148, 150 may include features adapted to couplethe density-setting post to the support member 124 while allowing theposts to slide horizontally along the length of support member 124.Sliding density-setting posts 148, 150 are discussed in greater detailin relation to FIGS. 11 and 12.

I-beam 146 is representative of a number of beams and other supportmembers that may be adapted to cooperate with sliding density-settingposts. For example, a square beam, such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, maybe provided with grooves in one or more of the side surfaces tocooperate with sliding density-setting posts. I-beam 146 or othersupport member 124 adapted to operatively couple to a slidingdensity-setting post may include other features to facilitate thecoupling of the sliding density-setting post. For example, one or moreends of the I-beam may include a region where top flange 152 is narrowedto facilitate installation, removal, and/or replacement of slidingdensity-setting posts. Additionally or alternatively, the support membermay be provided with ridges, notches, serrated edges, rubberized edges,or other features adapted to enable sliding motion of the slidingdensity-setting post and adapted to increase the resistance to slidingmotion during operation of the bagging machine.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, and with continued reference to FIG.10, illustrative embodiments of sliding density-setting posts 148, 150are illustrated in perspective view. FIG. 11 illustrates a slidingdensity-setting post 148 including a density setting post 82 mounted oroperatively coupled to a sliding coupler 164. Density-setting post 82may include an upstanding member 160, which may be at leastsubstantially similar to the upstanding member 92 of FIG. 4.Density-setting post 82 also may include a cap member 162, which may beat least substantially similar to cap member 96 described above.

FIG. 11 further illustrates that sliding density-setting post 148, andparticularly sliding coupler 164 may include a coupling region 166.Coupling region 166 may take any suitable form for coupling slidingdensity-setting post 148 to support member 124. As described above,support member 124 may be configured in a number of manners to cooperatewith sliding density-setting posts. Accordingly, one or more couplingregion 166 and support member 124 may be adapted to cooperate andslidingly engage the other. As illustrated in FIG. 11, slidingdensity-setting post 148 includes a J-shaped sliding coupler having asingle coupling region 166 including a curved portion 168 adapted tobend around the edge of an I-beam flange. Coupling region 166 alsoincludes a tongue 170 extending from the curved portion 168 and adaptedto couple the sliding density-setting post 148 to the support member124. In the example of an I-beam 146 as support member 124 and aJ-shaped sliding density-setting post 148, coupling region 166 may beadapted to extend around the rear edge of the top flange 152 of theI-beam 146.

J-shaped sliding density-setting post 148 may be slide into position ormay be placed onto the I-beam 146 at the desired position. Once theelongate density control member 102 is operatively associated with theJ-shaped density-setting post 148, such as being wrapped around aportion thereof, and the material is being bagged by the machine, therearward force on the elongate density control member applies at least arearward force on the density-setting post. The coupling region 166 isadapted to prevent sliding density-setting post from being pulledrearwardly.

Depending on the configuration of the elongate density control memberand the sliding density-setting posts, the elongate density controlmember 102 may also apply a lateral force on the sliding density-settingposts 148 during operation of the packing machine. Lateral sliding ofthe sliding density-setting posts 148 may be inhibited or at leastsubstantially precluded in a number of ways. For example, the rearwardforce on the sliding density-setting posts 148 may be strong enough tocreate sufficient frictional force between support member 124 and thedensity-setting posts 148. Additionally or alternatively, a rubberizedmaterial or other material may be applied to one or more of the slidingcoupler 164 and the support member 124 to increase the frictionalresistance to lateral sliding. Additionally or alternatively, one ormore of the sliding coupler 164 and the support member 124 may beadapted to include one or more of notches, grooves, sawteeth,protrusions, fingers, or other structures or elements adapted tocooperatively create some degree of mechanical resistance to lateralsliding. As just one of the many suitable combinations, the rearwardedge of the top flange 152 of the I-beam 146 may be provided with aplurality of fingers, which may be formed by cutting a plurality ofnotches into an otherwise standard I-beam, and the curved portion 168 ofthe sliding coupler 166 may be provided with one or more notches,recesses, cutouts, or the like adapted to cooperate with the fingers onthe I-beam. As one other example, density setting post 82 may be coupledto coupling member 166 in a way that enables the operator to clamp thedensity-setting post in place on the support member, such as threadedlycoupling the upstanding member 160 to sliding coupler 164 such thatupstanding member 160 can be screwed down through sliding coupler 164 toapply force on the support member 124. While a coupling member 164 andan I-beam 146, or other support member 124, may be used without anyfurther modifications, one or more of the modifications discussed hereinor other modifications may be made. As discussed above, the slidingcoupler 164 of J-shaped sliding density-setting post 148 and the supportmember 124 may be configured in any suitable manner to enable slidingdensity-setting post 148 and support member 124 to be selectively andadjustably coupled together to enable an operator to position thedensity-setting posts 148 at a desired position prior to commencingbagging operations and to be fixedly coupled together during the baggingoperation.

The sliding density-setting post 148 has been discussed structurally andoperationally as an independent element. However, as discussed herein atleast one pair of sliding density-setting posts 148 may be used togetherto provide the pair of density-setting posts 80 discussed above.Accordingly, sliding density-setting posts 148 may cooperate with otheraspects of the material forming enclosure 24 to provide a multi-hubdensity control apparatus 72.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another variation of a sliding density-settingpost suitable for use in a multi-hub density control apparatus accordingto the present disclosure. As illustrated, C-shaped slidingdensity-setting post 150 is similar to J-shaped sliding density-settingpost 148 but includes two coupling regions 166 rather than just one.Accordingly, C-shaped sliding density-setting post 150 is adapted towrap around both the forward edge and the rearward edge of supportmember 124. Otherwise, C-shaped sliding density-setting post 150 may besubstantially similar to the J-shaped sliding density-setting post 148described above, including the many variations, applications, and usesdescribed above. The C-shaped configuration of the slidingdensity-setting post may provide additional options for counteringwhatever lateral forces may be applied to the sliding density-settingposts during operation. Additionally or alternatively, the C-shapedconfiguration may more securely couple the sliding density-setting poststo the support member when the bagging machine is not bagging material.

Other configurations are available for the sliding density-settingposts. The configuration implemented in a particular multi-hub densitycontrol apparatus 72 may depend on one or more of the nature of thebagging operation, the remaining components of the bagging machine,whether the multi-hub apparatus is coupled to the bagging machine pre-or post-manufacture of the bagging machine, the configuration of supportmember 124, or other factors. As just one example, the slidingdensity-setting posts may be adapted to couple to a square supportmember 124, such as the square beam 128 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, byconfiguring the coupling region 166 accordingly, such as by extendingthe dimensions of the curved portion 168. Other variations to one ormore of support member 124 and the sliding density-setting posts arewithin the scope of the present disclosure.

As discussed above, support member 124 is adapted to be operativelycoupled to sloped member 126. When support member 124 is formed at leastin part by I-beam 146, sloped member 126 may be operatively coupled tothe forward edge of the top flange 152, such as by welding or otherwise.However, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12, it can be seen that whenC-shaped density-setting post 150 is coupled to the top flange 152 ofI-beam 146, the forward coupling region 166 of the slidingdensity-setting post wraps around the forward edge of the top flange 152of I-beam 146. Accordingly, sloped member 126 may be coupled to I-beam146 to not interfere significantly with sliding density-setting posts150. In some configurations, sloped member 126 may be coupled to anotherportion of the I-beam 146. For example, sloped member 126 may be coupledto the bottom flange, the upright member 156, or to the joint betweenthe upright member 156 and the top flange 152, which is indicated asjoint 158 in FIG. 10.

Multi-hub density control apparatus 72 utilizing sliding density-settingposts, whether of a J-shaped configuration, a C-shaped configuration, orsome other configuration, may be adapted to provide the same orsubstantially the functionality as the multi-hub density controlapparatus 72 discussed above in connection with FIGS. 4-6. As with theconfigurations illustrated and discussed in connection with FIGS. 7 and8, the sliding density-setting posts discussed and illustrated inconnection with FIGS. 9-12 may provide the operator of the baggingmachine with a greater degree of customization in determining thespacing between forward legs 118 of density control assembly 108.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multipledistinct inventions with independent utility. While each of theseinventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specificembodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obviouscombinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features,functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where theclaims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, suchclaims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more suchelements, neither requiring, nor excluding, two or more such elements.

It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certaincombinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of thedisclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodiedin other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions,elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of thepresent claims or presentation of new claims in this or a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to adifferent invention or directed to the same invention, whetherdifferent, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims,are also regarded as included within the subject matter of theinventions of the present disclosure.

Although the present invention has been shown and described withreference to the foregoing operational principles and preferredembodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and detail may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention is intendedto embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

1. A bagging machine for bagging agricultural material, the baggingmachine comprising: a material-forming enclosure having a floorassembly; at least one pair of density-setting posts disposed on thefloor assembly; an elongate density control member having first andsecond forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine andhaving a central portion extending rearwardly to provide a densitycontrol assembly of a first configuration; wherein the elongate densitycontrol member is operatively associated with the at least one pair ofdensity-setting posts to selectively provide a density control assemblyof at least one additional configuration.
 2. The bagging machine ofclaim 1, wherein the floor assembly has a first end and a second end,wherein the at least one pair of density-setting posts is adapted tocenter the density control assembly between the first and second ends ofthe floor assembly when the density control assembly is disposed in theat least one additional configuration.
 3. The bagging machine of claim1, wherein the density-setting posts include an upstanding member havingan upper end and a first cross-sectional dimension, and wherein thedensity-setting posts further include a cap member disposed adjacent theupper end and having a second cross-sectional dimension greater than thefirst cross-sectional dimension.
 4. The bagging machine of claim 1,wherein the central portion of the elongate density control memberextends rearwardly having spaced apart forward legs joined by a rearwardportion, wherein the density control assembly first configurationincludes forward legs spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein eachof the at least one additional configurations includes forward legsspaced apart by a distance distinct from the distance of the firstconfiguration and the other additional configurations.
 5. The baggingmachine of claim 4, wherein the forward legs each include an adjustmentregion adapted to extend transversally to selectively and operativelyassociate the density control member with one of the at least one pairof density-setting posts to thereby selectively provide the at least oneadditional configuration.
 6. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein theat least one pair of density-setting posts includes a single pair ofdensity-setting posts, wherein each of the density-setting posts isselectively and adjustably positionable on the floor assembly.
 7. Thebagging machine of claim 1, wherein one or more of the density-settingposts is adapted to retain the elongate density control member in aselected configuration during operation of the bagging machine when thedensity control member is disposed in the at least one additionalconfigurations.
 8. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the floorassembly includes a base member and a cover member, wherein the at leastone pair of density-setting posts is disposed on the base member, andwherein the cover member is operatively associated with the base memberand the density-setting posts to cover the density-setting posts duringoperation of the bagging machine and to allow access to thedensity-setting posts during adjustment of the density control assembly.9. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the forwardends of the elongate density control member is releasably coupled to thebagging machine.
 10. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the forward ends of the elongate density control member iscoupled to the bagging machine via a coupling to the material-formingenclosure.
 11. The bagging machine of claim 1, wherein the at least onepair density-setting posts are adapted to be spaced apart on the floorassembly in a manner corresponding to a plurality of density controlassembly configurations for bagging agricultural material under aplurality of different conditions.
 12. A bagging machine for packingagricultural material into a container, the bagging machine comprising:a mobile frame having a forward region and a rearward region; amaterial-forming enclosure having an intake region coupled to therearward region of the mobile frame, and an output region extendingrearwardly from the mobile frame; a material-filling apparatus coupledto the mobile frame and adapted to pack the agricultural material intothe material-forming enclosure to thereby move the bagging machineforward; a forward wheel assembly coupled to the forward region of themobile frame and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move over aground surface, wherein the forward wheel assembly is spaced apart fromthe material-filling apparatus; a density control apparatus operativelycoupled to the mobile frame and extending rearwardly therefrom inoperative association with the material in the material-formingenclosure to provide resistance to the forward movement of the baggingmachine; and a forward brake assembly operatively associated with theforward wheel assembly and adapted to provide selective auxiliaryresistance to forward movement of the bagging machine.
 13. The baggingmachine of claim 12, further comprising a rearward wheel assemblycoupled to the rearward region of the mobile frame and adapted to enablethe bagging machine to move over the ground surface, and furthercomprising a rearward brake assembly operatively associated with therearward wheel assembly adapted to provide additional resistance toforward movement of the bagging machine.
 14. The bagging machine ofclaim 12, wherein the density control apparatus includes at least onedensity control setting configured to provide a predetermined resistanceduring a bagging operation.
 15. The bagging machine of claim 12, whereinthe density control apparatus includes at least one drag member adaptedto extend rearwardly beneath the material in the material-formingenclosure.
 16. The bagging machine of claim 12, wherein the densitycontrol apparatus includes at least one cable, wherein at least aportion of the at least one cable is disposed within thematerial-forming enclosure.
 17. The bagging machine of claim 16, whereinthe at least one cable forms at least one cable loop having a rearwardportion disposed behind the material-filling apparatus.
 18. The baggingmachine of claim 12, wherein the material-filling apparatus is spacedapart from the ground surface by a driving force height, and wherein thedensity control apparatus is disposed at a resistance height that islower than the driving force elevation.
 19. The bagging machine of claim18, further comprising a rearward wheel assembly and correspondingrearward brake assembly adapted to provide an additional resistanceforce, and wherein the auxiliary resistance force provided by theforward brake assembly is greater than the additional resistance forceprovided by the rearward brake assembly.
 20. The bagging machine ofclaim 12, wherein the density control apparatus is provided at least inpart by an extended material-forming enclosure.
 21. The bagging machineof claim 20, wherein the extended material-forming enclosure has aneffective diameter, D, and has a length from the intake end to theoutput end of between about 0.5 D and about 2 D, and wherein the lengthof the material-forming enclosure is adapted to provide a predeterminedresistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine.
 22. Thebagging machine of claim 21, wherein the extended material-formingenclosure is adapted to be adjustable between at least twoconfigurations having different lengths.
 23. The bagging machine ofclaim 21, wherein the extended material-forming enclosure has a lengthfrom the intake end to the output end of between about 0.8 D and about1.5 D.
 24. The bagging machine of claim 20, further comprising anancillary density control apparatus disposed in operative associationwith the material in the material forming enclosure to provide ancillaryresistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine.
 25. Thebagging machine of claim 24, wherein the ancillary density controlapparatus includes at least one drag member adapted to extend rearwardlybeneath the material in the material-forming enclosure.
 26. The baggingmachine of claim 24, wherein the ancillary density control apparatusincludes at least one cable, wherein at least a portion of the at leastone cable is disposed within the material-forming enclosure.
 27. Thebagging machine of claim 26, wherein the at least one cable forms atleast one cable loop having a rearward portion disposed behind thematerial-filling apparatus.
 28. A bagging machine for packingagricultural material into a container, the bagging machine comprising:a mobile frame having a forward region and a rearward region; amaterial-forming enclosure having a floor assembly and having an intakeregion coupled to the rearward region of the mobile frame and an outputregion extending rearwardly from the mobile frame; a material-fillingapparatus coupled to the mobile frame and adapted to pack theagricultural material into the material-forming enclosure to therebymove the bagging machine forward; at least one pair of density-settingposts disposed on the floor assembly of the material-forming enclosure;a forward wheel assembly operatively coupled to the forward region ofthe mobile frame and adapted to enable the bagging machine to move overa ground surface; an elongate density control member having first andsecond forward ends operatively coupled to the bagging machine andhaving a central portion extending rearwardly to provide a densitycontrol assembly of a first configuration, wherein the elongate densitycontrol member is operatively associated with the at least one pair ofdensity-setting posts to selectively provide a density control assemblyof at least one additional configuration, and wherein the densitycontrol assembly formed by the elongate density control member isadapted to provide a predetermined resistance to the forward movement ofthe bagging machine; and a forward brake assembly operatively associatedwith the forward wheel assembly and adapted to provide selectiveauxiliary resistance to the forward movement of the bagging machine. 29.The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the density-setting postsinclude an upstanding member having an upper end and a firstcross-sectional dimension, and wherein the density-setting posts furtherinclude a cap member adjacent the upper end and having a secondcross-sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectionaldimension.
 30. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the centralportion of the elongate density control member extends rearwardly havingspaced apart forward legs joined by a rearward portion, wherein thedensity control assembly first configuration includes forward legsspaced apart by a first distance, and wherein each of the at least oneadditional configurations includes forward legs spaced apart by adistance distinct from the distance of the first configuration and theother additional configurations.
 31. The bagging machine of claim 30,wherein the forward legs each include an adjustment region adapted toextend transversally to selectively and operatively associate thedensity control member with one of the at least one pair ofdensity-setting posts to thereby selectively provide the at least oneadditional configuration.
 32. The bagging machine of claim 28, whereinthe at least one pair of density-setting posts includes a single pair ofdensity-setting posts, wherein each of the density-setting posts isselectively and adjustably positionable on the floor assembly.
 33. Thebagging machine of claim 28, wherein one or more of the density-settingposts is adapted to retain the elongate density control assembly in aselected configuration during operation of the bagging machine when thedensity control assembly is disposed in the at least one additionalconfiguration.
 34. The bagging machine of claim 33, wherein each of theconfigurations of the density control assembly is selectable by a userto provide a distinct, predetermined resistance during a baggingoperation.
 35. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the floorassembly includes a base member and a cover member, wherein the at leastone pair of density-setting posts is disposed on the base member, andwherein the cover member is operatively associated with the base memberand the density-setting posts to cover the density-setting posts duringoperation of the bagging machine and to allow access to thedensity-setting posts during adjustment of the density control assembly.36. The bagging machine of claim 28, wherein the material-fillingapparatus is spaced apart from the ground surface by a driving forceheight, and wherein the density control assembly is disposed at aresistance height that is lower than the driving force elevation.